Artwork copyright dick ibach. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.
Mt. St. Helens, 1983
dick ibach
American (born 1940, died 2021)
Location: River Homelink School, Battle Ground
About the Artwork
Mt. St. Helens is a painting by dick ibach. It features energetic and gestural patterns. The imagery references the massive 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State – ibach describes the painting as a "celebration of the eruption". The volcanic eruption dramatically changed the landscape and environment of Southwestern Washington, and was a shocking event.
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Battle Ground Public Schools.
About the Artist
Spokane, Eastern Washington-based artist dick ibach (1940-2021) created paintings that combine figurative imagery with expressive forms, symbolism, and intense patterning. His art is humorous and often based on his memories: "It is my intention to speak of the contradictions of the human condition: to address both the nobility and stupidity of it all." He believes that the viewer must develop a “visual literacy” and not expect explanations, because “Artists are visual, and their imagery is visual… Words are for poets.”ibach was born and grew up in Yakima, Central Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 1972. He taught art at Spokane Falls Community College for over fifteen years. He was also a Jesuit brother for ten years during the 1960s and he worked many odd jobs such as a hospital orderly, sod buster, cattle brander, grave digger, and cabinet maker. These experiences shaped his point of view as an artist.
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